this morning, under pressure. >> the biggest night of the campaign so far. now, just a few hours away. as a video surfaces overnight, forcing both sides to weigh in. it's all about 5-year-old comments made by candidate obama that some are calling racially divisive. but is it as damaging as romney's video about the 47%? and potential progress for american airlines and its pilots, as the airline rushes to explain why seats have come loose. also this morning, firing back. the small town tv anchor woman, now launching a national debate on weight and bullying, after a viewer attacked her for being fat. and last dance. cut throat composition on the dance floor. but one all-star fails to find his hollywood ending.

good wednesday morning, everybody. we begin with that newly-released video, getting lots of attention before tonight's first presidential debate. >> it was released overnight by a conservative website. the speech was given to a largely african-american audience back in 2007, when mr. obama was still a senator. critics say the president was divisively pandering to the crowd, saying that the fog did not do enough to help residents of new orleans after hurricane katrina. >> what's happening down in new orleans? where's your dollar? where's your money? makes no sense. the bullet hasn't been taken out. tells me that somehow the people down in new orleans, they don't care about as much.

>> in the speech, mr. obama also praised preacher jeremiah wright, calling him a great leader and trusted friend. the obama campaign released this overnight, in a transparent attempt to change the subject from his comments attacking half of the american people, mitt romney's allies recirculated a video of a 2007 event that was open to and extensively covered by the press at the time, end quote. the romney campaign denies having anything to do with that tape. this is unfolding as the candidates prepare to take the stage tonight in denver. >> 50 million viewers are expected to tune in as the presidential racets final week. abc's brandi hitt has a preview. >> reporter: both candidates took a break from their intense debate prep tuesday. with mitt romney getting a bite to eat in denver. and president obama visiting the hoover dam for the first time. both have relied heavily on their running mates this week to lead their campaigns.

>> how they can justify raising taxes on the middle-class has been varied the last four years. >> reporter: it didn't take long for paul ryan to pounce on that comment. >> vice president biden just today said that the middle-class, over the last four years has been, quote, buried. we agree. that means, we need to stop digging by electing mitt romney. >> reporter: the latest abc news/"washington post" poll shows the race for president is still very close, which means every word and gesture tonight could impact the election. brandi hitt, abc news, denver. >> thanks to brandi hitt. abc's coverage of tonight's debate begins at 9:00 eastern, 6:00 pacific. now, we turn to the trouble at american airlines. and actually progress on two fronts this morning. there is new movement in the bitter labor dispute between the airline and its pilots union. and also, the mystery of the seats that came loose during three, separate flights may have

been solved. abc's tahman bradley is tracking all of the developments. good morning, tahman. that safety issue with those loose seats. what are we hearing now? >> reporter: well, rob, american airlines is now blaming the loose seats on clamps that were not installed properly. either by the airline's own crews or an outside contractor. the three incidents over the past week forced two emergency landings. and american scrambled to inspect its boeing 757s. some of the jets use a different fastening systems to hold the rows to the floor. it was human or mechanical error. but it's ruled out sabotage. and it's getting those planes back in service, rob. >> and, tahman, real quick here. there's speculation this could be linked to sabotage. is there any movement on that this morning? >> reporter: there is movement. the airline and the union representing the 7,500 pilots have agreed to return to the negotiating table. but keep in mind, rob, that american airlines is in

bankruptcy and looking to make layoffs and cuts to pay and benefits. the pilots rejected the last offer and the situation has been escalating, with the airline accusing the pilots to calling in sick to cause delays. and the strike authorization broke. but with talks on again, we could see a breakthrough. american's ceo sent a message to employees that he's pleased that both sides have resumed talks after a difficult few weeks for the company. >> let's hope it brings progress and closure to this one. tahman bradley, live in washington for us. thanks, tahman. president obama has called the family of a slain u.s. border patrol agent and told them that their loved one's killer will be found. nicholas ivie was killed yesterday. another agent was also wounded in that incident. a new study is out on affirmative action. just as the supreme court prepares to revisit the use of race in a college admissions. now, the study pointed to evidence from states that don't use affirmative action. and some of those nine states

concluded that leading public universities are capable of bringing meaningful diversity through race-neutral policies. at least eight wildfires are burning in northwestern minnesota this morning, fueled by powerful winds and severe drought. one fire's under control after detroying 6 homes in 12 square miles. including a school and a nursing home. it is time, now, for the weather across the nation. thick morning fog in boston, new york and d.c. thunderstorms in the south, from the carolinas into coastal georgia and much of florida. gusty winds from seattle to minneapolis. and the montana mountains could get nearly a foot of snow. already making snowmen. >> can you believe that time of the year again? 50s from billings into the dakotas. 80s in colorado springs, albuquerque and across the south. mostly 70s in the northeast and midwest. and when we come back, up, up and away.

an unusual triple-shot of economic improvement. >> good news this morning. and also, the anchorwoman who turned a viewer's letter about her weight into a four-minute on-air smackdown. and later, one lucky, little dog who survived a long ride, stuck in the grille of a car.

welcome back. there are several signs that the economy is improving this morning. u.s. auto sales were up again last month to their highest level in more than four years. part of that is buyers need to replace aging vehicles and feel more confident about their jobs. loans are cheaper and easier to

obtain, as well. and home prices were up more than 4.5% in august, compared to last year. that's the largest increase in more than six years. this latest report, plus one showing more home sales and builder confidence, indicates we are finally seeing a rebound in the housing market. but another indicator shows that we're not that confident about the economy. the birthrate fell for the fourth year in a row, down 1% from the year before. the good news is that it didn't fall as much as in recent years. just 4 million births were recorded last year. that's the lowest number since 1998. then, we have this. the beer index. shipments are rising for the first time since the start of the recession. analysts say that's a sure sign that consumers, particularly young men, are doing better economically. much of the increase is in so-called craft beers. so, the major breweries are popping to make their own. oh, yes. >> you love that story. and i love this one.

pizza hut already has stuffed cheese, burgers and hot dogs inside of its pizza crust. now, it's serving up kit-kat bars. dough around the candy and with sugary goodness. but the pops are only available in the middle east. and so far, the buzz online is not that sweet. a lot of buzz in our studios, though, for them. i think we need to go on assignment. >> what time's your flight? >> i'm set to go. >> that's what i thought. still ahead, we have some cheering this morning for a comeback kid. the player proving there are second acts when it comes to baseball. and a sign of the times. that famous hollywood landmark is having a little work done. when it comes to getting my family to eat breakfast, i need all the help i can get. i tell them, "come straight to the table." i say, "it's breakfast time, not playtime." "there's fruit, milk and i'm putting a little nutella on your whole-wheat toast."

funny, that last part gets through. [ male announcer ] serving nutella is quick and easy. its great taste comes from a unique combination of simple ingredients like hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa. okay, plates in the sink, grab your backpacks -- [ male announcer ] nutella. breakfast never tasted this good. begins with back pain and a choice. take advil, and maybe have to take up to four in a day. or take aleve, which can relieve pain all day with just two pills. good eye. what are you doing? uh. who taught you how to do this stuff? you! all right! i learned it by watching you! [ male announcer ] parents who skim, have kids who skim. kraft macaroni & cheese. you know you love it. [ male announcer ] parents who skim, have kids who skim. why they're always there to talk. i love you, james. don't you love me? i'm a robot. i know. i know you're a robot!

but there's more in you than just circuits and wires! uhhh. (cries) a machine can't give you what a person can. that's why ally has knowledgeable people there for you, night and day. ally bank. your money needs an ally. well, we've seen a lot of hollywood face-lifts but not quite like this one.

the iconic hollywood sign is getting a fresh coat of paint for the first time in 35 years. sprucing up those 9 letters is going to take 275 gallons of paint. that's enough to finish 15 houses. the job should be done in two months, just in time for the sign's 90th birthday next year. >> little botox for that landmark. i like it. now, for a look at your morning road conditions. snow-covered mountain passes in montana. some gusty winds for high-profile vehicles from washington state to minnesota. some wet roads in the southeast. a foggy commute in the northeast, with less than a quarter-mile visibility in some areas. >> if you're flying, that fog could cause airport delays in philly, d.c., new york and boston. and back to the news this morning. and to a local newscaster who is now at the center of a national story. >> as an anchorwoman in la crosse, wisconsin, jennifer livingston usually reports the news.

but suddenly, she's the one making headlines and spreading a message of confidence and empowerment far beyond wisconsin. it all started with a message from a viewer who took aim at jennifer livingston's weight. writing, i was surprised, indeed, to witness that your physical condition has not improved for many years. surely, you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular. on her own newscast, livingston, the mother of three, young girls, decided, it was time to respond. >> you know nothing about me, but what you see on the outside. and i am much more than a number on a scale. >> reporter: for more than four minutes, she faced the camera, and the criticism. it has touched off a chorus of kindness. one person saying, that viewer could not have been more wrong. the message you are sending young women is that beauty and brains come in many forms. but livingston says the story isn't just about her. reminding viewers that october

is national anti-bullying month. >> to all of the children out there who feel lost, who are struggling with your weight, with the color of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face, listen to me right now. do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies. learn from my experience that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many. >> reporter: those shouts, summed up by the viewer who wrote, all i can say is that you are a beautiful person all-around, jennifer livingston, just the way you are. make sure you stay with us. jennifer livingston will be a guest a little later on "good morning america." in other news, today marks one year since the mysterious disappearance of a little kansas city girl known as baby lisa. lisa irwin was just 10 months told when she vanished from her crib. her mother said she was asleep in another room while her father was at work.

the family is still hoping for her safe return. but police have complained they have yet to speak one-on-one with lisa's mother. and former penn state assistant football coach mike mcqueary is now suing the school for millions of dollars in damages. mcqueary had complained he saw jerry sandusky showering with a young boy, and he testified against sandusky at his trial. mcqueary claims his treatment by the school since the sandusky case has caused him distress and embarrassment. by this time tomorrow, baseball's playoff picture will be clear. or at least clearer. highlights of last night's dramatic developments, now, from espn. >> randy scott here with your "sportscenter" update. the best pennant race in baseball is one tied in the a.l. west. in oakland last night, where the a's came in, down just a game on the rangers in that division. in the fifth, derek norris, singling to right. josh donaldson in. brandon moss, in behind him. and it's 2-1, oakland. we go to the sixth. same score, two outs. jonny gomes, gone.

hadn't had a hit in his last three games. a timely way to break that slump. it's 3-1. gomes has 18 bombs on the season. top nine. it's grant balfour on to shut the door on nelson cruz. he does. and it's 3-1. and tied after 161 games in the west. they'll finish that up tonight. in the central, reds and red birds. pick things up in the sixth. jay bruce, back through the box. joey votto will would score. reds go up 2-1. st. louis just needs a win to get the second wild card. in the eighth, though, allen craig, that's not going to do it. 4-6-3 double-play to end it. and the reds, proving to be spoilers. 3-1, over st. louis. it's up to the dodgers. they have to win. if they lose, st. louis is in. sergio romo gets ellis to fly out to end it.

and l.a.'s season, matt kemp despondent for a reason. los angeles, done. a.l. east doubleheader on espn and espn2 tonight at 7:00 eastern. i'm randy scott. have a great day. >> how can you not love playoff baseball? >> that time of year. go. one baseball highlight from miami. adam greenberg was back in the majors with the marlins. this was his first time in the bigs since, if you remember, he got hit in the head in 2005, by the first pitch he ever saw as a major leaguer. >> he suffered all kinds of problems after that. but the marlins brought him back for one game. and in his one pinch-hit at-bat, greenberg struck out the three pitches. the fans and his teammates roared his return anyway. well-deserved applause. >> a psychological milestone for him, though. >> indeed. up next, "the pulse." and oprah winfrey is still the queen of green, despite an incredible drop in pay. and then, another week. and another all-star gets the boot on "dancing with the stars." stay with us. erry

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covered by 90% of insurance plans, including medicare. find your co-pay at myflexpen.com. welcome back, everybody. we start "the pulse," this morning on the dance floor. and guess who they said bye, bye, bye to on "dancing with the stars"? >> say it isn't so. joey fatone, he's gone. the latest celeb to get voted off the all-star season. but the former 'n sync singer and his partner, kym johnson say they are proud of their dancing. >> he was a good sport. saying he'll miss everyone. get ready because next week is going to be double-elimination. and her supersuccessful talk show is long behind her. but her bank account is still growing by leaps and bounds, believe it or not.

>> oh, yeah. oprah winfrey is still the highest-paid woman in hollywood. "forbes" says she raked in $165 million between may of 2011 and 2012. far outearning britney spears, even taylor swift. >> good for her. also, we're getting a look at a side of oprah we've never seen. she tweeted this sultry photo of herself with actor terrence howard. i swear we've got it. and, no, she's not leaving steadman. it's from a scene in the upcoming movie, "the butler." she has a sultry expression on with a cigarette in her hand. >> it's a different side of oprah than we've seen before. >> hey, girl. >> this movie about a guy that worked in the white house under eight presidents. so, terrence howard and her in a very interesting photo. so, she's remembered her spirit, i guess. another photo getting lots of attention is from sunday's patriots' game, in which they

basically blew out the bills. >> indeed. there's brandon lloyd doing his superman impression, storming into the end zone, catching tom brady's touchdown pass. looking closely -- look at his smile. the grin, all of that earning him the title of ridiculously photogenic football player. >> lloyd's the newest in the string of ridiculously photogenic people, which started last spring with a guy running a race in south carolina. probably the first time i've ever seen somebody running with a smile on their face. >> that's a great shot. that takes his career to a whole, new level. that's great. and we just want to say right up front here, the dog is okay. but you might not think so at first by looking at these pretty horrifying pictures. look at this. this little poodle/bishon mix managed to ride for 11 miles stuck in the grille of that car. >> that's a bad place to be stuck. the driver thought he might have hit the dog. but he didn't see or feel anything out of the ordinary, he kept going. it was when another driver pointed out the dog. animal control was called and saved the day.

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. next, five people are out of their home after a fire. emotions running high, protesters storm a building. >> will the sweat-out continue? mike has your answer. >> the record heat is over still hot in a few areas we could drop 20° in the carolinas, south to florida. and finally, it may sound like a hungry teenager's dream assignment. get paid for eating fast food every, single day. >> what do you mean teenagers? i'd go for that.

>> me, too. >> it was an experiment by doctors to find out what fast food diets can do to your health. here's abc's john donvan. >> reporter: hitting the fast food drive-in for science. >> can i get five soft tacos? can i get two sausage burritos? can i get a number four? >> reporter: over and over and over again, it has been dave giocolo's life the past three months or so. as has been eating the food. a precisely measured 1,000 calories a day. a fast food daily only. how many calories? >> 770. >> reporter: why? this man is paying them to. dr. samuel klein is a researcher at washington university in st. louis. trying to understand why fast food leads to weight gain and diseases like diabetes and hypertension. at some point, though, research on rats alone is not enough. somebody has to eat the food? >> ultimately, it has to come to people. >> reporter: and so, a radio ad, that offered a cash incentive,

up to $3,500, depending on how long it would take. >> once i got into work, i called right away. >> reporter: so did nurse, dawn freeman. >> it probably took a month, to just get -- >> reporter: to get approved? >> to get approved. >> reporter: so, they ate every day, from one of these five restaurants, until their weight went up 5% or 6%. dawn, in 8 weeks went from 170 to 186. doesn't look like a lot. but here's how it felt. >> for two weeks, it was all right. then, i started really feeling awful. i couldn't hardly breathe anymore. >> reporter: you want this thing to be over? >> i'm done with it now. >> reporter: down the road, this research may help find therapies for obesity-related diseases. way before that, though, dave will have to take that weight off. that's what he has to complete to get his last $50. john donvan, abc news, st. louis. >> would be a lot easier to put the weight on than it is taking the weight off. >> that's for sure. that's what's making news in america this morning. >> stay with us for "good